High risk of occult HBV infection among children with hematological disorders and malignancies

Children receiving multiple transfusions or cancer chemotherapy are at an increased risk of acquiring and spreading hepatitis B [HBV] and/or hepatitis C [HCV] virus infections. Concurrent infections with both viruses are increasingly recognized and the reciprocal influence of dual infection remains controversial. Hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection in patients who lack detectable hepatitis B surface antigen [HB5Ag] is considered occult infection. To investigate the prevalence of occult HBV in children and adolescents with hematological disorders and malignancies with or without HCV infection. Cross-sectional retrospective study. Hematology/oncology clinic of Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine-Ain Shams University. 100 polytransfused children and adolescents. Forty nine children with hematological disorders [group 1; median age 11.4 yrs] and SI with hematological malignancies [group 2; median age 8 yrs] were enrolled in this study. Sera were tested for HCV antibodies. HCV-RNA [nested RT-PCR], HBV markers [HBsAg. Anti-HBcAb IgM and Total and UBeAg] and HBV-DNA [nested PCR for s, c and x regions] Anti-HCV was detected among 40/49 [81.6c/c] in group 1[24/49, 49<4 HCV-RNA+] and 9/51 [17 6%] in group 2 [12/51: 23.5% HCV-RNA+]. Overall, HBV-DNA was positive among 38

Effect of triclabendazole on the tegument of schistosoma mansoni: a scanning electron microscopic study

The in vitro effect of triclabendazole on the tegument of Schistosoma mansoni was studied by means of scanning microscopy. Two different concentrations of drug were used [15 mug/ml and 75 mug/ml] and the worms examined after different exposure times [1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours]. It was found that exposure of S. mansoni to triclabendazole resulted in quick reactions. The tegument was immediately destroyed after exposure in several places, leading to the formation of defects in the surface of the worms. The parasites contracted and became immobilized within one hour, showing that the uptake of the drug was very rapid and triclabendazole caused 100% mortality after 24 hours in the 2 concentrations. The ultrastructural changes were proportional to the concentration of drug and time elapsed

Two-dimensional echocardiographic measurement of right and left pulmonary arteries in tetralogy of fallot

The risk of corrective surgery in tetralogy of Fallot [TOF] was found by previous authors to be affected by the immediate post repair ratio of peak right ventricular to L. V. pr. [P RV/LV]. The prediction of the post repair P RV/LV is possible from preoperative angiograms by measuring the diameters of the RPA and LPA at point of their bifurcation and normalizing these by relating them to the diameter of the descending thoracic aorta at the level of diaphragm [PRA + LPA] in effort to reduce the indications of preoperative catheterization studies and thus their risk in children with TOF. 2D/Doppler studies were prospectively performed on 24 children ranging in age from 1 to 14 years with a mean 7.1 +/- 3.89, there were 12 females and 12 males. The RPA, LPA and DAO diameters were measured by 2D Echo and the ratio RPA + LPA: DAO obtained. These were compared with the measurements obtained from cineangiograms. The children were divided into two groups according to age: Group A [10 children] below 6 years [mean age 3.12 +/- 1.58 years, 5 females and 5 males] and group B [14 children] above 6 years [mean age 9.78 +/- 2.25 years, 7 females and 7 males]. The limits of agreement between the 2D and angiographic measurements in both groups for RPA, LPA, DAO and ratio were obtained. These were considered clinically acceptable for the RPA, DAO and ratio, in both groups, better in younger children [group A], but not acceptable for the LPA measurement due to technical difficulties in properly visualizing the LPA by 2D Echo

Studies on the correlation between antischistosomal antibodies and infertility in men

Schistosomiasis affects the genitourinary system and thus might affect fertility. The present study tried to assess the relation between antischistosomal antibodies in serum and fertility. 44 oligospermic men [mean spermatic count 11.21 million sperms/ml] and 20 fertile men were studied. Both groups were treated from schistosomiasis years before and had no evidence of hepatosplenomegaly. Indirect hemagglutination test was positive in 81.8% of infertile men and 50% [P >0.05] of fertile men, while the circumoval precipitin test was positive in 18% of infertile men and 10% of fertile men [P >0.05]. This showed that there was no correlation between the level of antischistosomal antibodies in serum and fertility. It could be suggested that uncomplicated schistosomiasis is unlikely to be related to male infertility in Egyptians